MCCAIN: Rand Paul And Ted Cruz Are Threatening To Filibuster Gun Control Legislation Because They're 'Afraid'

U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Sunday that he didn't
understand why some of his GOP colleagues have vowed to
filibuster new gun control legislation, urging a full debate on
the measures.

At least a dozen Republican Senators have backed a plan to filibuster new gun
legislation, which was spearheaded by Sens. Rand
Paul (R-Ky.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Mike Lee (R-Utah). The
Senate is expected to debate on some new measures, including an
expansion of the nation's background check system, as early as
this week.

"I don't understand it," McCain said on CBS' "Face
the Nation" Sunday. "The purpose of the United States Senate is
to debate and to vote and to let the people know where we
stand."

McCain said he would encourage
Republicans to drop their threat of a filibuster.

"I would not only encourage it,
I don’t understand it. What are we afraid of?" he said, noting
that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said he will allow
amendments to be introduced to any bill.

"Why not take it up and amend
it and debate? The American people would profit from it. I do not
understand why United States Senators want to block debate when
the Leader has said we can have amendments."